Oakland Win 9-8 in Knockout Round
Another close loss in KO Round, see Ballers lead 2-1
Yuba-Sutter Freebirds
6-6
8
Oakland Ballers
9-6
8
| Final (10) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 10 | 2 |
|
|
2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 11 | 3 |
Oakland, Ca.---Oakland Ballers (9-6) designated hitter Dondrei Hubbard (4) started the scoring with a two-run homer in the first and ended the night with two homers in the knockout round leading his team to a victory over the Yolo High Wheelers (6-6). The regular portion of the game was 8-8. It was Oakland's first-ever knockout round while Yolo is still winless in the KO round (0-2). Yolo right fielder Justin Kirby mustered one homer. Oakland has won two-of-the-first three games of this series.
The contest started on a historic note with the first female starting pitcher in Pioneer League history Kelsie Whitmore who went three innings for the Ballers allowing three runs (two earned) with one strikeout. She gave up homers to Yolo second baseman Bobby Lada (3) and third baseman Braedon Blackford (2). Blackford has homered in back-to-back contests.
The bulk of the scoring came from the sixth inning on. Yolo was down 5-3 going to the sixth but erupted for five runs sending ten to the plate. The RBI's came on singles by left fielder Tanner Smith, and hit by pitch to catcher Angel Mendoza. Other run-producing plays were an RBI infield single by Lada and sacrifice fly by first baseman Jose Gonzalez. The other run was on a throwing error by Oakland pitcher Conner Richardson. That inning gave Yolo an 8-6 lead.
However, in the bottom of the sixth gainst Yolo reliever Jacob Stobart, Oakland took two batters to tie it. Second baseman Dan Covino (1) belted a two-run homer following a leadoff hit by pitch to third baseman Brad Burckel.
Yolo right-handed starter Brandon McPherson struck out seven over six innings. He allowed seven hits, six runs (five earned).
The fourth game of this series will be tomorrow at Raimondi Park beginning at 6:35 p.m. Right-hander Shaun Gamelin (0-0) will start for Yolo against Oakland right-hander Christian Cosby (1-1).
HIGH NOTES
Yolo reliever Connor Langrell worked a shutout 1 1/3 innings. He hasn't allowed a run in his last 6 1/3 innings. Ty Buckner pitched a scoreless ninth, he has yet to allow an earned run this season in 5 2/3 innings.
Lada has reached base safely in all 12 games
Every High Wheeler in the starting lineup either reached base safely or had an RBI
In this series, Yolo starting pitchers have amassed 22 strikeouts